Tangled Royal Family 5K Recap

The Tangled Royal Family 5K was the first of many events during the Princess Half Marathon weekend, and my 5 am wakeup call came a bit too early on Saturday morning. My flight the night before was delayed and my friend Amanda generously picked me up at the airport in the TinneyTaxi – my transportation for the weekend! By the time we had dinner, checked into our hotel the Orange Lake Resort, and got unpacked, I didn’t get to bed until around 12:15 am.

This was my third Disney 5K, so I had an idea of what to expect going in. Unlike previous years, I was relaxed and ready to enjoy the race. We arrived a little after 6 am and joined the masses in the Epcot parking lot. This was a little later than recommended by runDIsney, and by the time we arrived at the photo area, staff members had already closed off the line. I was bummed about it because I really wanted a picture with Maximus. How cool that they brought in a real horse!

Maximus!

Everyone squeezed into the starting corral about 10 minutes prior to the start, where I was glad to find my friend Jay in the corral, who was fabulously dressed of course. Rapunzel & Flynn Rider quickly counted us down and we were off!

Jay's Fabulous Tutu

Rapunzel & Flynn in the distance

My game plan for the 5K was to walk the majority of the course, take as many character photos as possible, and most of all have fun. I wanted to save my legs for the Princess Half the next day and not aggravate my ongoing hip injury.

The race started off through the Epcot parking lot, down a service road and in through the cast member parking area where you apparently are not allowed to text!

Along the way there seemed to be an attraction graveyard of sorts with old trams and boats. While backstage we also got a great view of the Test Track course.

This was my first Epcot 5k course and I was so excited when we entered World Showcase a little after 1 mile. I love how all of the Princesses were in their corresponding countries for photos ops! I’ve never stopped to get pictures with characters before because I was too concerned about time, but this time my friends and I brought in the rear of the race and took pictures with everyone we could! And yes, we were wearing tiaras.

Mulan in China

Snow White in Germany

Pocahontas in America

Belle in France

It was not a record race by any means and I finished the race in 1 hour 14 minutes, my longest 5K by at least 30 minutes. But time doesn’t matter. I had a blast with my friends and saved enough energy to finish the half the next day. Oh and I was still able to reward myself with a Whispering Canyon Café skillet for breakfast afterwards…ooooh yeah!

Breakfast Skillet!!

I’d like to point out what a rockstar my friend Jillian is for continuing to complete 5Ks even at 7.5 months pregnant with Baby D! If that’s not motivation to get out off the couch, I don’t know what is! I love this picture of her coworkers at Mouse Gear coming to cheer her on!

I would also like to send a HUGE congratulations out to Kristen, Traci and Jackie for finishing their first 5k. I was so glad I was there to see you cross the finish line and give you a big ole sweaty hug!